Rachel Witt

Rachel Witt holds a B.A. in anthropology (honors) and art history from Vanderbilt University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology from Tulane University. She is a biological anthropologist who specializes in bioarchaeology and biogeochemistry. Witt’s ongoing research with the Programa Arqueologico Huanchaco in collaboration with Drs. Gabriel Prieto (University of Florida) and John Verano (Tulane University) investigates the role of ritual violence in empire-building and imperial expansion on the north coast of Peru during the reign of the Chimú and Inca Empires. She also participates with the Proyecto Arqueologico Huari Ancash Canchas Uckro in collaboration with Dr. Jason Nesbitt (Tulane University). Witt has received several honors including the National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant, and grants from the Lambda Alpha National Collegiate Honors Society and the Rust Family Foundation.